Violent Femmes percussionist Victor DeLorenzo is recognized by the Common Council on behalf of the City of Milwaukee. With Aldermen Nik Kovac, Willie L. Hines, Jr., Michael J. Murphy, Robert Bauman, Willie C. Wade and Ashanti Hamilton.

News and Information from the 4th Aldermanic District

Public Works Offers Snow Emergency Text Alerts

The City of Milwaukee is offering a text message system, Snow Mobile - Winter Text Alert to residents and businesses that want to be informed when the City declares a snow emergency or when the 4 inch rule is in effect. The message would state the date and time the emergency is in effect and would provide the same when it is lifted. The primary purpose of declaring a snow emergency is to make sure the streets are cleared to keep the City open for business.

New 4th District Winter Parking Regulations

City will begin accepting STRONG Homes Loan Program applications in January

Milwaukee homeowners looking to tap into $1 million in partially-forgivable loans to fund essential home repairs can begin applying for the STRONG Homes Loan program on January 2, Alderman Bauman said.

Starting in January, owner-occupants can apply for loans of up to $20,000 to pay for emergency repairs, essential rehabilitation and code correction orders, with loan interest rates between zero and three percent. Eligible projects include roof replacement, replacement of failing porches and the repair or replacement of deteriorating siding or failing exterior paint.

Qualifying households must have an income at or below 120 percent of the area median ($84,360 for a family of four). 25 percent of the loan amount will be forgiven if the owner stays in the home for 10 years. Information and applications are available at milwaukee.gov/STRONGloan.

Historic Houses For Sale

The City of Milwaukee currently owns several historic homes and is offering them for sale to the right owner. If you love the scale, details and craftsmanship of an historic home and love to renovate, we may have the perfect house for you. As a bonus, many of the homes listed have had extensive exterior repairs such as new roofs, chimneys and siding. These repairs will make the remaining renovations manageable and the whole project more affordable.

Most of these properties may qualify for Wisconsin Historic Home Owner’s Tax Credits. Additional information is available from the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Revisions Proposed for the Historic Preservation Ordinance that will Improve and Streamline Historic Preservation Process

New 2014 virtual night parking permit system

For the convenience of the city’s night parking permit customers, there will be no requirement to display a physical permit starting in 2014. When residents buy a night parking permit after December 20, 2013, they will complete the same application, accurately listing the applicable license plate number. Residents will receive a confirmation number to prove purchase of the permit, but will not receive a physical permit to place on the vehicle’s window.

The license plate number will be used by parking enforcement to determine whether the owner has purchased a valid permit. All customer service problems arising from misplaced or stolen permits will be eliminated. Failure to purchase a permit will still be subject to a $20 citation.

When a resident purchases a permit online, the cost savings derived from the elimination of permit production, handling and mailing costs will be passed on to customers. The convenience fee will be reduced from the current $2.25 to $1.00.

Visit www.milwaukee.gov/parking to purchase a night permit online and avoid the hassle of standing in line to pay in-person. Please call 286-CITY (2489) with any questions.